The Vancouver Whitecaps are one of the best stories in all of sports this season.

Despite success on the pitch, serious concerns remain about the club’s future in Vancouver.

In this episode of The PitchGrid, we’re joined by Ciaran, the president of the Vancouver Southsiders, to discuss:

• ​ the Whitecaps relocation fears
• ​ the Save The Caps movement
• ​ supporter culture in Vancouver
• ​ MLS economics
• ​ football identity and community
• ​ why football clubs mean more than business

This conversation became about much more than just one club.

It became about what football means to communities — and what happens when supporters fear losing part of their identity.

Huge thanks to Ciaran and the Vancouver Southsiders for joining the show.

#SaveTheCaps

Timestamps:

0:00 Vancouver Whitecaps: A Club At Risk

6:01 Understanding Vancouver’s Football Culture

9:14 The Whitecaps’ Unique Identity

11:59 The Emotional Connection to the Club

17:52 Frustrations About Financial Instability While Successful

21:03 Future of MLS: Promotion/Relegation a Possibility?

23:54 Stadium Situation Misinformation

30:17 Misinformation in Sports Economics

34:59 The Perception of Soccer in North America

38:19 Modern Football Ownership Concerns

41:25 Relocation Hurts Trust

45:37 Outro